Diablo 4 Expansion Lord of Hatred Revealed, Adds Not 1 but 2 New Classes, Including the Paladin | The Game Awards 2025
Blizzard has fully unveiled Diablo 4 expansion Lord of Hatred, confirming that it includes not one but two new classes, including the Paladin.
At The Game Awards 2025, Blizzard announced an April 28, 2026 release date for Lord of Hatred, which will see the Age of Hatred Saga, as Blizzard calls it, reach its climax. Campaign wise, players go up against eternal evil, Mephisto, but there’s a surprise return for Diablo 4 antagonist Lilith, who is back from the dead — shock horror! — after the events of the Diablo 4 campaign. Lord of Hatred adds the new region of Skovos, and there are significant gameplay changes, too.
The big news here is a pre-purchase of Lord of Hatred grants immediate access to the Paladin class, which is a fan-favorite from Diablo 2 and one of the most-requested classes for Diablo 4. Blizzard didn’t say what the mystery second class is.
Here’s the story setup:
In the aftermath of Vessel of Hatred, this next chapter drives players toward their final stand against Mephisto, whose deception and spreading influence threaten to twist Sanctuary into a world consumed by malice. As Hell’s legions surge and the ancient Pools of Creation draw Mephisto ever closer, the fate of humanity hangs by a thread. To stop him, the Wanderer must embrace an old foe long believed to be dead. Lilith returns, her prophetic last words echoing true, forcing a perilous alliance bound by necessity rather than trust. With time and allies running out, the Wanderer is in a desperate race to stop Mephisto before hatred reshapes the world forever.
The Paladin, as you’d expect, revolves around hammer and shield gameplay, and smites enemies with Holy Light power. The mystery second class “looms on the dark horizon,” Blizzard said, adding: “its power undeniable, its arrival poised to reshape the battlefield when Lord of Hatred launches in April.”
Skovos is the ancestral birthplace of the first civilization and the former home of Lilith and Inarius. It stands as Sanctuary’s oldest and most storied region. Now ruled by The Oracle and the Amazon Queen, this never-before-seen in-game land blends volcanic coasts, storm-lashed forests, and waterlogged ruins steeped in forgotten lore.
The expansion also reworks the Skill Trees to introduce new class-specific variants and expanded level caps, offering fresh buildcraft and strategic depth across all eight classes. There’s a new Loot Filter system to help you target desired gear more efficiently. Crafting is enhanced, with the return of the Horadric Cube. The new Talisman unlocks powerful set bonuses, expanding late-game customization.
Veteran players will be keen to know about the overhauled endgame, which you can tap into once you’ve finished the campaign. War Plans let players craft their own endgame progression path, selecting favored activities and layering strategic modifiers as they push toward high-value rewards. The Echoing Hatred stands as the Age of Hatred’s ultimate test: a relentless gauntlet of demonic hordes designed to challenge even the strongest builds. Meanwhile, for something completely different, the expansion adds Fishing!
Lord of Hatred includes the full Vessel of Hatred expansion, which players can access instantly via pre-purchase. Players who pre-purchase gain early access to the Paladin class, one extra Stash Tab, two more Character Slots, and three World of Warcraft décor items.
Be sure to check out everything announced at The Game Awards 2025 for more, as well as the winners list in full.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
